DENVER (AP) — The summer drought that lingered throughout Colorado has become worse.

The entire state is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions and nearly 17% of the land area is in exceptional drought, the most extreme category, the U.S. Drought Monitor said.

The drought is happening just a year after most of Colorado was declared drought-free.

The western part of the state has been hit the hardest, with Kiowa County on the Eastern Plains also experiencing exceptional drought, which can bring dust storms and cripple agriculture, Colorado Public Radio reported.

Conditions have deteri...